In a metaphor for his new beginning in ice hockey, Darcy Kuemper announced in his first interview with the Los Angeles Kings media that while washing the dirt off his body, he learned that he had been traded by the Washington Capitals.
“Uh, actually, I was in the shower when my wife came over and grabbed me and said, ‘I think we got switched,'” Kuemper said. “That was a pretty weird way to find out.”
Kuemper didn’t reveal which soap he uses, but to me he seems to be a Dove guy.
“It’s been a lot to process, but we’re both really excited about the move,” Kuemper said. “We still have a few logistical things to figure out, but as far as hockey goes, we’re really excited.”
Kuemper is coming off his worst season in the NHL, posting career lows in goals-against average (3.31) and save percentage (.890). He finished the season with a win-loss record below .500 (13-14-3) and did not win a game after February 26. With Charlie Lindgren challenging him for the starting spot, Kuemper was considered expendable by the Capitals, especially with three seasons left on his $5.25 million annual contract.
“Hockey-wise, it’s been really tough,” Kuemper said of his 2023-24 season. “It’s been really frustrating at times. Obviously we haven’t won as many games as I would have liked and haven’t played as much. That’s always hard to deal with. I just kept working, and even though I haven’t been able to play much, I’ve come to work every day and worked on my game. I’m looking forward to starting fresh next year and getting back to playing the way I like to play, proving that last year was just a one-time thing, getting a lot of wins and helping the team.”
The 2022 Stanley Cup-winning goalie was traded in a one-for-one deal for first-line center Pierre-Luc Dubois, who has seven years and $59 million remaining on his contract. Kuemper previously played 19 games for the Kings during the 2017-18 season before being traded to the Arizona Coyotes on February 21, 2018 in exchange for goalie Scott Wedgewood and forward Tobias Rieder.
“I was only there for a short time (in LA), but I loved my time there,” Kuemper said. “It was really tough that it was so short because I enjoyed the organization, living there and playing with the guys so much. I’m really excited to be back. I’ve had a lot of success before with Bill Ranford and the goaltending staff.”
Kuemper seemed most pleased with where the Kings are as an organization. The team finished third in the Pacific Division with a record of 44-27-11, good for 99 points.
“I believe I have the opportunity to join a team capable of winning a trophy,” he said. “I just want to provide consistent goalkeeping and do my part to help them achieve that.”
